The panel Unusual Artwork from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library (ARL) is one of those perfect examples of how D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event really can just bring out the most niche interests for Disney fans and it was a delight.

Here’s a look at everything we experienced at the 2024 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

What We Learned

  • Panelists included Fox Carney, Manager Research at ARL and Tori Cranner, Manager of Art Colelctions at the ARL.
  • Fox and Tori explained that the Disney Animation Research Library is separate from the Walt Disney Archives (although they do often work together) and the purpose of the former is an internal company resource to provide helpful documentation for Disney animators, historians, and other people needing details on the company’s reach animation history. the ARL is NOT open to the public and they do not typically offer any sorts of tours so getting to hear from them during this panel was a very special treat.
  • A surprising social media celebrity in his own right, Fox Carney’s videos on TikTok serve as a perfect appetizer for what to expect during this panel. He and Tori shared a wealth of knowledge about ARL and they are incredibly passionate about the works under their charge and the history that is tied into every single piece.

  • While from its name it might have seemed this panel was going to be a discussion of unusual artwork/visuals created at the Disney Studio, this panel focused more just on the unusual nature of the TYPES of artwork that are included in the Disney collection. It’s not jut sketches on paper or painted masterpieces on canvas or animation celluloid sheets that gets catalogued at the ARL. As we’d see during the panel they also organize and keep track of every kind of artwork including  plaster models of Motunui sculpted on a kitchen cookie sheet to doodles on napkins and everything inbetween including maquettes and stop motion puppets from the Nightmare Before Christmas.

  • During the panel we saw images of artwork literally as small as a penny to artwork that they used a measuring tape for to show stretching for feet — many of which requiring custom-created storage solutions to ensure safe keeping.
  • It’s hard to believe but there are over 65 million pieces of assets catalogued at the ARL and Disney uses a database system that was custom-created for their purposes. What’s even crazier is they don’t have every single thing completely catalogued making for a proverbial wild ride for those who work in and manage the collection.

Photos

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See it for Yourself

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event took place in Anaheim from August 9 – 11, 2024. 

MORE INFO: Check out all of our coverage for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event at MouseInfo.com/D23

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